48ply1stcar Posted January 28, 2015 Report Posted January 28, 2015 I have been searching for threads that I have read before about which axle to use. But, today I couldn't fine the information I wanted. Can we generate a list of axles that make a good swap. Don, I know about the list of old mopar cars, I'm looking for the years of Dakota, ranger, explorer and others that may be less than 30-years-old. 2 Quote
51cambridge Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 80 dodge diplomat on my 51 Cambridge. I didn't do it. 1 Quote
Smokeybear Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.shtml check this out, it should answer your questions. Quote
Smokeybear Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 I forgot to add, I used the drum explorer rear in mine and I'm very happy with it. Plenty of strength so far with the 360 and 5 speed. 3 Quote
48ply1stcar Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Posted January 29, 2015 Thank you - Smokeybear Quote
rolnthunder Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 For the easiest direct swap and using the stock wheels you could use any of these, all are ford 8.8 (same as explorer) -94-98 mustang gt....61" from wheel flange to wheel flange -99-04 mustang gt....62.4" from wheel flang to wheel flange I used an 87 Ford thunder bird axle housing and swapped in mustang axle shafts to convert from 4 lug to 5 lug. Havent actually used mine yet (drove it under its own power) but it fits very nicely under the car. Here is a chart explaining the ford 8.8 interchangeability although it only shows the cars. Quote
Robert Horne Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 I am using a 1995 Ford Ranger rearend, 58.50 wide, 3.73 gear, drum type. Had to add 1 inch spacers to get the tire out to where I wanted them. The Explorer would be a better fit in my Coupe. I believe my Jeep rear, 60 inch wide, will be the best fit with my 70's wheels. Quote
48ply1stcar Posted January 30, 2015 Author Report Posted January 30, 2015 I see on The Ranger Station, link from Smokybear that their is mention of a 2 inch offset. Does it in anyway affect the drive shaft tunnel, or is that something that is a nominal amount. With progress getting slower and slower I'm allready a year behind just on getting the engine runnig with a front seat back in the car. Anyone in favor of the Cherokee rear axle? Quote
rolnthunder Posted January 30, 2015 Report Posted January 30, 2015 I am using a 1995 Ford Ranger rearend, 58.50 wide, 3.73 gear, drum type. Had to add 1 inch spacers to get the tire out to where I wanted them. The Explorer would be a better fit in my Coupe. I believe my Jeep rear, 60 inch wide, will be the best fit with my 70's wheels. If you used the 58.5" ranger axle with 1 inch spacers on each side thats a total width of 60.5" . Plus with that axle there is a 2" off set. I suggest that if you are leaning toward using the ranger axle or even like the idea of it but want a centered differential, take a look at the chart i posted. Pick up a 94-98 Mustang GT axle. You will have the same 8.8" ring gear but it will be centered in the axle, then you wont have to worry about the driveshaft having clearance issues. It comes with disc brakes and the correct bolt pattern. In the chart if its a 7.5" ring gear its a v6 car, if its a 8.8 its a GT/V8 car (Mustangs only Thunder bird and Cougars were a bit different. Only the Thunderbird Turbo coupe was a 8.8) 1 Quote
deathbound Posted January 30, 2015 Report Posted January 30, 2015 Lots of good info in this thread (w/more to follow, I'm sure)......axle swap is on my "to do" list. Please post ratio, overall tire diameter, engine/trans info.....if avaiable. Quote
Robert Horne Posted January 30, 2015 Report Posted January 30, 2015 I see on The Ranger Station, link from Smokybear that their is mention of a 2 inch offset. Does it in anyway affect the drive shaft tunnel, or is that something that is a nominal amount. With progress getting slower and slower I'm allready a year behind just on getting the engine runnig with a front seat back in the car. Anyone in favor of the Cherokee rear axle? I have been running the 95 Ranger rear 3.73 a couple years now, doing great, driveshaft-no problem, drum brakes are good on the rear.... My 95 Ranger rear was free, and I have another Ranger rear with a 3.25 gear, too high I believe. Think I will go with the 3.55 Cherokee..... Quote
Robert Horne Posted January 30, 2015 Report Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) I have been searching for threads that I have read before about which axle to use. But, today I couldn't fine the information I wanted. Can we generate a list of axles that make a good swap. Don, I know about the list of old mopar cars, I'm looking for the years of Dakota, ranger, explorer and others that may be less than 30-years-old. Keep in mind not just the width of the rear, but what wheels, and tires you plan on using. I measured and tested what my tire/wheel/rearend combination would look like on my car. Came out with a measurement from the outside tire tread edge of one tire to another tire. I believe around 67 or 68 inch, tread to tread was my best fit.... Edited February 2, 2015 by Robert Horne 1 Quote
rumble48 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Posted January 30, 2015 The early Cherokee/wranglers (mid 80's to late 90's) axle was a Dana 35. this axle is not well thought of in the jeeping world, as it has a reputation of failing under hard use with larger tires. This should not be a problem in our world, but later Cherokee's came with a mopar 8.25 which if you can find one might be a better choice than the dana. Both 60" wide, and came in 3.55 & 3.73 with our bolt pattern. The Ranger/exploder 8.8 diff is slightly offset to the Passenger side & the axle is slightly narrower than the Jeep if memory serves, but this was never a problem on the wrangler. So lots of choices out there. Quote
MarkAubuchon Posted January 31, 2015 Report Posted January 31, 2015 I kept mine all MOPAR 1968 out of a Road Runner, 355 gears. Used the original perches with offset shackles. 3 Quote
Smokeybear Posted February 2, 2015 Report Posted February 2, 2015 The offset is an advantage if you ever plan on going to a V8. The offset is perfect with my 360 install and I had no issues when the original 6 was in there either. Quote
DonaldSmith Posted February 2, 2015 Report Posted February 2, 2015 Driveshaft offsets are good, I have read somewhere, so long as the transmission shaft and differential pinion are parallel. 1 Quote
FESTER60 Posted February 3, 2015 Report Posted February 3, 2015 I used a Ford Explorer rear from a 01 so I could get the factory disc brakes. On thing about that, The stock wheels will not fit. They won't clear the calipers. I ended up using Jeep wrangler steel wheels. Even then I needed 1/2" spacers and had to notch a small piece out of the caliper. All is good now. Quote
Ripster Posted February 5, 2015 Report Posted February 5, 2015 Has anybody done the late model axle swap and the S10 5 speed swap? I plan on doing this combo and was qurious about hooking up the factory park brake handle to the park brake on the swapped rear brakes. I haven't looked at the catalog but assume Lokcar makes some form of cable that can mate the two. Input and advice is alway welcome. Quote
Robert Horne Posted February 6, 2015 Report Posted February 6, 2015 Has anybody done the late model axle swap and the S10 5 speed swap? I plan on doing this combo and was qurious about hooking up the factory park brake handle to the park brake on the swapped rear brakes. I haven't looked at the catalog but assume Lokcar makes some form of cable that can mate the two. Input and advice is alway welcome. On my 38 Coupe 5 speed Ranger TKO/Ranger rearend, I used my 38 Coupe's under dash hand brake setup with the Ranger rearend parking brake cables/brakes/etc. Quote
martybose Posted February 6, 2015 Report Posted February 6, 2015 Has anybody done the late model axle swap and the S10 5 speed swap? I plan on doing this combo and was qurious about hooking up the factory park brake handle to the park brake on the swapped rear brakes. I haven't looked at the catalog but assume Lokcar makes some form of cable that can mate the two. Input and advice is alway welcome. I haven't checked recently, but at one point Lokar had a parking brake conversion setup that was specifically designed for our cars. Marty 1 Quote
50 coupe Posted February 6, 2015 Report Posted February 6, 2015 98' Ford Explorer rear end in a 50' Ply Bus Coupe. Had to fab up rear shock mounts using the Explorer shock mounts but other than that, pretty easy. Quote
steveplym Posted February 8, 2015 Report Posted February 8, 2015 1987-1990 Dakota, have to move the spring perches, other than that it's a pretty easy swap. Those year Dakotas have the 5 lug bolt pattern. Swapped a 3.55 posi in my Plymouth. Quote
HughForrest Posted February 8, 2015 Report Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) Ford 8" out of a '77-'81 Grenada or Versailles is 58" with a centered pinion. I have one -converted to discs- on my '38 Chrysler. Edited February 8, 2015 by HughForrest Quote
CoronetGuy Posted February 29, 2016 Report Posted February 29, 2016 98' Ford Explorer rear end in a 50' Ply Bus Coupe. Had to fab up rear shock mounts using the Explorer shock mounts but other than that, pretty easy. Were you able to use the stock wheels? Quote
50 coupe Posted February 29, 2016 Report Posted February 29, 2016 Were you able to use the stock wheels? Yes!! One of the reasons I went with this rear end. Same stud pattern and don't have to use the reverse bolts on the one side!! Stock rims fit right on. 2 Quote
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